Council will not get into flag wars, says leader.
Union and St George’s cross flags will continue to fly on Norfolk street lamps and other facilities unless they pose a hazard or violate the law, according to the county council’s leader.
Conservative Kay Mason Billig stated that Norfolk County Council would not send workers out to remove flags if it would result in “potential conflict”.
She was questioned at a full council meeting on Thursday about whether flags erected without authorisation will be removed.
Meanwhile, Norfolk Police has stated that it will not remove flags unless there is “other criminality attached” to their exhibition. St George’s and Union flags are widely seen lining streets around England, including Norwich.
Residents have stated that they want to express joy and national pride, but some have described the displays as scary.
Jo Thewlis/BBC
At Thursday’s meeting, Labour councillor John Ward enquired: “There have been numerous allegations regarding flag installations and safety.
“Given the strong feelings in the community, how is the council responding to this?” Mason Billig responded, “We must use common sense in this situation and not allow ourselves to get drawn into a controversial subject that is producing division in our country.
“For me, flying a national flag represents my pride in my country, and I refuse to let anyone tell me I can’t fly my flags.
“What this council’s going to do is not get involved in any flag wars.” However, she stated that the council would not tolerate threatening or inciteful behaviour, and that any reports would be taken “extremely seriously”.
She went on to say, “We don’t condone anyone who attaches anything without permission, but we aren’t going to send our employees out into potential conflict.” “So, how items are eliminated is entirely dependent on various criteria, including cost, resource availability, and safety.
“So as we go around doing our normal maintenance work if there is anything affixed to our street furniture it will be removed in the normal way.”
In a statement put on social media on Thursday, Norfolk Police claimed flags attached to lampposts prompted multiple calls to its control centre.
It stated that it would only remove flags from public street furniture if they were defaced to incorporate illegal content or posed a safety risk.
A spokeswoman added: “Flying a nation’s flag is not illegal in and of itself unless there is some criminal activity associated with that display.
“Officers have no cause to interfere with personal flag displays on private property unless there is a criminal or planning code violation.
“Where allegations have been made about criminal activity, we will review any relevant evidence and take action where there is a legal basis to do so.”
Shaun Whitmore/BBCHe recalled that County Hall had previously flown a Ukrainian flag from the building and noted that the UK government had lately recognised the Palestinian state.
“I feel it would be most appropriate especially as the patron saint of England, St George, was half Palestinian and his mother St Polychronia came from Palestine,” according to Neale. Mason Billig responded, “No.” “We will not be flying that flag from this building.”
‘Unwelcome in communities’
In mid-July, an increasing number of St George’s flags were seen at Birmingham’s Weoley Castle, which was thought to be in response to a 12-year-old girl being barred from giving a speech about her British heritage at her school.
The succeeding Weoley Warriors group encouraged flags to be raised, telling the BBC that “we really hope it brightens your day and brings joy and love”.
A group called Operation Raise the Colours has encouraged individuals to display flags, and the Times reports that the group received a payment from the far-right outfit Britain First.
A spokeswoman for the Bristol organisation Stand Against Racism and Inequality stated that while not every flag was placed “with the intent to divide,” they “are making some minoritized people feel less safe, intimidated, and unwelcome in their communities.”
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